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May, 1968

Volume 27

~,...,_ .. ., ,..., ,..., Number 5 •t ' - ~ -... _t":w:: \ I Aa. ••••••••••••••

. ,. • 4 •• ~ • • .! ' .J. Picture ~our Summer 't ~ ;:f: ~. ' ... t ='~' u; '- c • "' ,~ 4- ~ • t 1' ~ .. • ~ I - MAY ' 1968 < ate Parl{_s

t wb8' ~ a t th !re th

it werr ;n wil From picturesque views of the Mighty perintendent of parks, discussed some of ~orror. , to cheerful picnic areas, the new developments that will be await­ to the solitude of a forest hiking trail, to ing visitors this season. a lake-side beach. These are but a few of "Thirteen new shelter houses were con­ the attractions at 's state parks that structed at various areas and are ready will delight vi sitors this spring and sum­ for use," he said. "Road improvements mer. will be made at , ThE:' Iowa Consen ·ation Commission has Lucas County; , Henry put extensi' e planning and work into the County; Wild Cat Den State Pa rk, Mus­ development of its park system. Every catine County; and Wapsipinicon State effort has been made to provide outdoor Park, Jones County. New bathing beach recreation accommodations for Iowa resi­ facilities are open at Lake Darling in uroor- dents and out-of-state vi sitors to the Washington County and Green Valley 1, WaP' "Land Between Two Rivers." State Park in Union County. There are 91 state parks and recreation "A special blacktop trail was recently at Ot areas of which nine are under local man­ completed at Margo Frankel Woods just bene- agement. The parks range from primitive outside Des Moines for crippled children 01roenu areas awaiting development to highly de­ and other people who must use wheelchairs n Com veloped areas with outstanding facilities. or similar devices. It was constructed pri­ exhibit There is something for just about every marily for children at the Easter Seal es frolt one at Iowa's parks whether you spend a Center at Camp Sunnyside, but it's avail­ results week's vacation camping or just out for able for all to use." ~jfiC It" an afternoon drive. Activities that can be A new hiking trail was laid out at Back­ to fin enjoyed include boating, swimming, fish­ bone State Park in Delaware County. Con­ 1 add~ ing, hiking, camping, scenic drives and siderable improvement has been made on bird watching or just a chance to "get hiking trails in other parks including frolll 1 away from it all." grading and placing chipped limestone on like th Among the facilities available are picnic the paths for hikers. ban th tables, fireplaces, shelter houses, lodges, Other improvements include a new showers and trails. Park officers are in shower at in Cass residence at the major park areas. County and new water system at Prairie Iowa's outstanding state park system Rose State Park in Shelby County. GI £ 0~ Vt SJN I O~ S30 didn't come about by accident. It has been Throughout the fall and winter months, ~Q1Q I V ~I ~O ! S IH !S the result of planning and work since 1919 park personnel are busy preparing for the A UVUU I1 WJfl113AVU 1. :. S when the first park was established at heavy summer season. While winter winds Backbone. Each year new facilities are blow around park shops, men are building needed to handle the increasing demand picnic tables, fireplaces, signs and other for outdoor recreation opportunities. facilities. Machinery and equipment are Joe Brill, Conservation Commission su- (continued on page 36) Page 34 IOWA CONSERVAT I ONIST

Iowa Conservationist Vol. 27 May 19o8 N 5 Publ'shed monthly by !he Iowa Conservation Com­ mission, State Office Building, 300 4th Stree1, Des • • • Moines, Iowa 50319. Addre~s all mail (subscrip­ tions, change of nddress, Form 3579, manuscripts, Dear Sirs: mail items) to the above address. I wish to report a change of address, and while I am writing I would like to Subscription price: two years at $1.00. Second class postage pa 'd at Des Moines Iowa. say that I enjoy the IOWA CO'\ Sf R\'ATIO!'IST very much. It never ceases to amaze 'N R ~ Reserved) me how , our editors can get so much information and good reading in so f ew of ~ HAROLD E. HUGHES, over~or pages. Keep up the good '' ork. tb E B. SPEAKER, D l t A. L. 1\Ieyer DAVID EVANS, l:d1tor KRISTINE ELIN, M ~naC')inq Editor JACK KIRSTEIN, Photographer Ccntlenwn: RUSSELL NELSON, Photoqrnpher I am interested and a little pet plexed by your cottontail arlide in the 1\farch WAYNE LO NNING, Photoqrapher CONSER\ ,\TI0"1IST. Where are they? MARY STAHOWICK, tditorial Consul~ant Five ~ears asro I traded for a Browning "Lightning" 20-gauge Over-Under. I JULIUS SATRE, C r ,!..,• c M ~n qer MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION have shot OXI•, cottontail with 1t Crows, barn pigeons. starlings, pestiferou~ MIKE F ZACK Ch r 11 Ma )n C ty tomcats. and one crippled cow: but only OXE . JAMES R. HAMILTON V1ce Clla1rman .. Storm Lake I wish your "cottontail number:- by leaps and bounds" would do a little leaping EARL E JA~VIS...... Wilton Junction and bounding hcrt> in \restfield Township, Fayette County. I still think rabbit KEITH A M~NURLEN ...... Ames hunting is grand sport; but if all there is to it is to walk in the fresh air, and LAURENCE N. NELSON Bellevue WILLIAM E. NOBLE ...... Oelwein carry m~ beloved Browning, I'm s ure glad I traded for the lightweight 20-gauge. ED WEINHEIMER ...... Greenfield I'm now past 67 years. Yours, CIRCULATION ...... 63,769 S\ Reuben Jones COMMISSION MINUTES Gentlemen: cl Ha\ ing been a reader of the Co"~FR\'ATIC '\I ST for se\'eral years and an Iowa +c Iowa Con enation Commis ion sportsman for a long time, I would hke to ha,·e you publish this letter in the l'J :\Ieeting H eld in Des :\loines, Io" a CoXSER\ ATIO~IST so that other Iowans may learn to apprt>ciate the consen·ation I March 5 a nd 6, 196 s\·stem. ApproYed a study in depth in coordina­ Recently, the town of Wheatland made preparations for a ne\\ city park and tion ·with the Commission's Planning and 'olunteer:-; ''ere asked to help dig- up and transplant seYeral trees f rom the \Vapsi +t Coordination Sec Lion on a long-rangP River bottoms near Wheatland. When we entered the timber, ''e saw two large e dredging program on East Okoboji Lake, bald-headed eagles and three smaller eagles leave the timber area. I have been tl and that efforts be coordinated with the told these eagles make their home in these timbers year around. East OkoboJi Improvement Corporation. I ha,·e now seen with my O\\ n eves "hat a great JOb the Iowa Conservation Commission is doing to help pre\ent the extinction and destruction of our birds, B B. 0. R. animals, and natural resources in Iowa. ~ The following pro,1ects were appro\ ed Sincerely, I for submission to the B. 0. R. for Feder al Donald L. l\Iills cost sharing under the Lands and Waters Conservation Fund Program: The Taylor County Conservation Board U. S. Highway 67 and 9 miles north of Carl Shumake r and the Iowa ConserYation lit to reconstruct an existing abandoned rail­ Clinton was appro\ cd. Commission was appr

ITORIAL

:e to uaze :v of How many times have you driven down the road and noticed beer cans strewn in the ditch'! And how many times have you dodged paper and trash that was er thrown from the car in front of you? The PROBLEM is "Blowing in the Wind"­ not the answer. And, undoubtedly, you condemned others for this littering. It's mushroom hunting season! Your But, how many times have you thoughtlessly dropped waste and garbage in the trip to the field has proved very successful; arch park or along the road? Or left "just a few" pieces of picnic left-overs on the you've picked pans of the tempting little table? things. Now ... what to do with them? It's not right for the other guy nor is it r ight for YOU! r. I Just plain? Soups? Sauces? Here are rous Not only the scenic aspect is involved. The cost of cleaning up this mess is some suggestions. much greater than one realizes. The time it takes a park officer to pick up trash Clean by brushing or washing in small . left by inconsiderate campers could be spent on other park impro,·ements. amount of water; don't soak. Cut off tip pmg And also, the danger of litter on the roads, the glass and metal debris in parks tbbit of stem. Don't peel. Cook whole or in and other public places is certainly a cause for personal anti-litter campaigning. slices. and We doubt if accurate figures can be or ha,·e been calculated on the tens of thou­ t'Uge. TO FRY: Melt 3 tablespoons butter; sands of stitches and doctoring that both children and adults have needed for cuts add t~ pound mushrooms, sliced or quar­ received from broken glass, sharp cans, and other metal pieces left. untouched near tered, and sprinkle with flour. Cover and swimming areas, or in places where barefoot fun need not be pre-empted by fear. cook over low heat until mushrooms are The most alarming and disgusting fact is that none of this is necessary. ·when tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. a family is driving to an area for fun and recreation, mom and dad don't want TO BROIL: Remove and chop stems; Iowa to spend the first half-hour picking up trash; the kids don't want to wear shoes season with salt, pepper; use to fill hol­ the half way in the water to avoid being cut by broken glass that has been scattered lows. Place in shallow pan; brush with Hi on on the shore. melted butter or salad oil; broil 10 min- Nor should they have to! utes. and How much time does it take to pick up ten pieces of paper, or carry garbage to . . Mush room Sauce apst the waste receptacle, or put a bag of trash in the trunk of the car? Time your­ Brown 1 cup fresh mushrooms in 3 arge self-maybe two minutes have been lost, right? Elementary math will prove that tablespoons buller or margarine; Add 3 been the difference in two minutes and a half-hour is worth the effort. tablespoons enriched flour and blend. Add 1 It will save much time and, in fact, add time for your fun and relaxation. 11~2 cups milk or stock, 2 teaspoon salt, ~tion Lately, Iowa residents have heard countless facts on water and air pollution. dash of nutmeg, and pepper; cook until ~irds. But few people stop to realize that non-chemical, non-sewage, and non-gaseous thick. matter can be, and certainly IS, a form of pollution. Land pollution in the form Stir slowly inlo 2 beaten egg yolks and of litter should definitely be added to the growing list of pollution problems. 2 teaspoons lemon juice; cook 2 minutes. Countless anti-litter slogans have been coined in the past years to help remind 1 I~ Sen·e at once. l\1akes 2 2 cups. people not to litter, and to try to solve the problem. If early camping is what you have in -- Such phrases as "Take it with you," "Keep America beautiful," "Don't be a mind, or if you are planning a meal while litterbug," "Every litter bit hurts," "Help keep your city clean," and thousands you're gathering those take-home mush­ of others have been used-and, it seems, with little success. rooms- here's a prepared-in-advance meat of the P eople still throw beer cans in ditches, leave waste in picnic areas, refuse to dish thai makes a substantial meal served Spring· pick up broken glass, and ignore t rash cans. either hot or cold. l Jam~ If you're not one of these people, we praise you; if you are one of these people, Meal Loaf-in-a-Loaf ,,• we condemn you. folloll'· In either case, don't be one of them! ke 1 loaf French or Italian bread 1 can evaporated milk 1 small onion, minced ~t Beile- 1 small green pepper, minced 3ellerue 1 pound ground beef tte park 1 egg, slightly beaten 1;2 tsp. Accent (MSG ) -!(· tge ejec· 1 tsp. salt 1 park to 2 tsp. pepper [irnball· •Monosodium Glutamate marketed undet· the brand name of. Accent or Enhnnct>. ~r Thr~ Use a fat, oval loaf of French or Italian 3te part bread rather than the long, thin loaf. Cut ·unning· a thin lengthwise sliee from top of loaf. With fingers, scoop out as much of inside of loaf as possible. Measure 2 cups of these crumbs and soak them in evaporated milk about 10 minutes. Add crumbs to d gaze! lA 1234 E II remaining ingredients and mix lightly. n to t Fill hollowed-out loaf with meat mixture, acent packing it in firmly and having it level with top of loaf. Set filled loaf on a baking -- ' ------/ sheet (or wrap in aluminum foil) and --~'-. -- bake in a moderate O\ en (350 degrees F.) ------for 1% hour <~ Ii you're cooking on an open fir(', adjust time accordingly and sen~ when the meat is well-browned. ·"J'· ~,.:.-;...-r;-~~··· .. ··~...... ,.•· .. ~ao1• .. .~~ - ..- •- .. ~}.llo. '"'.~·- I• • I,..,.~., . •• ·•.,.• ' .. ,., ' • ,.,.,.." •' ·.vu·, ,., ·.•. ,·.· , , .. • •. . '. ' • " " " , , , , , ' ' ' '

IOW A CO N SE R V AT IO N IST Pago 36

I' \1 hr Your Summer

At lowa.,s Parl{_s

(continued from page 33) g~ nd nd n Hiking or nature qtudy can be enjo) ed in many of the State tlt Park's prepared tra iJ s. l t shrubs, plants, flowers, or any other ' c1eaned, repaired and painted when needed. nearby parks for camping or picmcs or just a rest stop. Reports show that camp­ natural attraction; place refuse in cans The heaviest 01 "ru<:; h'' period for park ing is becoming more popular all the provided, keep fires small and build them · use in Iowa is from Memorial Day through time." only in areas provided; make sure all fires are out; keep pets on a leash and obser ve .mt Labor Day weekend. Many people are tak­ Mr. Brill suggested that one way to the closing time and speed limits. ing vacations then or making holiday and avoid some of the more crowded condi­ weekend trips to parks. Each year more These regulations are simply safety tions would be to visit a smaller or less measures for the public and the area and and more people leave the cities and towns known state or county park that is not as and head for r ecreation areas in the coun­ are designed to provide a better park. heavily used. :Many of these pleasant "I know it's an old saying, but a good try. The number of people using parks is parks have adequate facilities, are located gro\Ying at a tremendous rate. park visitor should leave nothing but foot­ in attractive surroundings and provide prints and take nothing but pictures and outdoor recreation opportunities. "Naturally, some of the parks are very memories," said Brill. crowded during holiday weekends in the As with any public use area, certain A booklet listing Iowa's state-owned summer, but we do our best to accommo­ regulations have been established for the recreation areas can be obtained f ree of date everyone," said Mr . Brill. "We also benefit of visitors and protection of the charge by writing to: State Conservation find that water-oriented parks or a reas parks. These include: Commission, Public Relations, State Office HI near the interstate highways are very Building, 300 4th Street, Des Moines, crowded. Many people from other states Camp and park only in prepared areas; Iowa 50319. r~ passing through lo\.va on the interstate use do not remove, destroy or injure trees, ' pi h er !

Ou rea gin~ he F •~

" I :~J Jla\1)1 1'h rooIll Dd S • ddet • • . l~ ' • .... ' "-- ' • l\ unc •. tW 1 • • '. .. • or l :~ ~~1 - ~• g~ ,. • ~~t'l Pu} ~n. .... that t Whet.h" ,.. vour interest is active participation or spectator relaxation, Iowa's pari{ !:an v· facilities o. r something for everyone's s ummer fun. to &i! IOWA CONSERVATIONIST Page 37

By Joe Elstner Staff Writer It's late April or early May, the air is warm and damp, and you're driving through timberland along an Iowa coun­ Popular Sport try road. The countryside seems deserted, but as you round a bend, you do a quick double-take. For there, by the timber's edge, is a group of six parked cars. You and know it's not squirrel hunting season, so you wonder what could be such an attrac­ tion at this time of year. Stopping to satisfy your curiosity, you Dinner Delight peer into the woods and spot several peo­ ple carefully examing the ground- looking under leaves, around fallen trees, near the base of live trees. You approach one Puffballs make fair to good eating, pro­ mushroom's mushroom in the opmwn of "hunter" and ask if he might explain what viding only those with consistent inner many seekers young and old. The true the group is doing. He gives you that texture and whiteness are used for the morels, or sponge mushrooms, consist of a "are you kidding?" look. table. They're more abundant than many stalk and an enlarged part called a cap or "Mushrooming," he says. "\Ve're look­ mushrooms, being found throughout the head. The all-important key to remember ing for these little babies right here." He growing season, but primarily found in here is that the morel's head or cap is bends down, picks a spongy looking thing, the fall. pitted. Pit shapes may be round to very and examines it with the look of a pros­ elongated and vary from deep to shallow, Sulphur mushrooms, the next group, are which makes it look like a small sponge. pector eyeing a gold nugget. "Greatest shelf shaped and yellow to bright orange ~ State little delicacy in the world," he says. The prime time for these most-hunted in color. They're fairly abundant in Iowa mushrooms is the spring, especially during ":\Iushroom hunting!" you say to your­ and are rated as delicious when properly self as you walk away. "So that's it." late April and early May. At this time you other cooked. You'll have your best luck finding might find any number of Iowans combing n cam You bet that's it! You've been intro­ sulphur mushrooms in autumn, when they duced to an activity that'll give you two the countryside for the spongelike, tempt­ d them are found in shelf-like arrangements on ing morels. big kinds of pleasure. That's because dead trees or logs. all fires Most morels are about three to four observe hunting mushrooms not only has that get-away-from-it-all reward popular with The third of our "foolproof four," the inches long, although a few may grow to thousands of Iowans; but it also can result shaggy mane mushroom, has been called about eight inches. Their color may go safety one of the best of edible fungi. Unfortu­ from a gray-brown to a yellow-brown. rea and in a dish of some of the tastiest outdoor edibles you've ever tried. nately, it's rarer than some of the other The morel characteristic that mushroom rk. genus Coprinus ("inky cap") mushrooms. hunters rally around, however, is the de­ a good All you'll need to start is a plastic or paper bag and a knowledge of the most This mushroom gels its name from the licious taste. And that brings us to an ut foot· popular AND SAFE species-some mush­ important stop on the field-to-table route res and appearance of its nearly cylindrical cap, rooms may be dangerous if eaten indis­ which is white to light tan in color, with --cooking them your favorite way. ::riminately, but more on that later. Armed shaggy brown tufts. Shaggy manes are A Culinary Delight e-owned with these requirements, you'll next have found from spring through fall all over the There seems to be several preferred free of to head for areas most likely to be mush­ country. A word of advice about them, methods of preparing these outdoor deli­ ~1"\ation room territory. though-shaggy manes are delicious if cacies for the table. One mushroom hunt­ e Office Hardwood timber areas will fill the bill cleaned and cooked almost immediately af­ ing expert, Charles "Butch" Olofson of the ~Joines, here, as will dry river bottoms, Missis­ ter picking. But, like the others in its sippi River islands, and sparsely timbered genus, they deteriorate quickly and can't State Conservation Commission, says he has a sure-fire mushroom cooking rule. P~stures. Hill slopes, willowed areas along be kept more than four or five hours even "You can prepare them any way you nvers, and even lawns may also harbor in a refrigerator. The color is the key­ mushrooms. if the gills have started to darken, de­ would an oyster," Butch says. "That IS, The "Foolproof Four'' terioration has set in. If you find some (continued on page 38) Once you've located a fairly productive shaggy manes, slick with the white ones. :nea, it's best, especially if you're a be­ Morels-the Mu hroom's Mushroom ginner, to stick with what have been called Let's return now to the morel - the the "foolproof four" among mushrooms. !?or the vast majority of mushroom hunt­ 'rs, these four species make an excellent ·hoice because they're easily recognized md less likely to be confused with poison­ )US mushrooms, they're found state-wide n abundance, and they're all desirable for Javor and texture. The four are morels or sponge mush­ ·ooms, the puffballs, sulphur mushrooms md shaggy manes. To this group is often tdded the oyster mushroom, a tasty morsel 'ound in abundance on trees and logs. Of these, the morel is by far the most ;ought after by Iowans, so let's look at the >thers first and then examine the morels. Puffballs range in color from white to an. They have a somewhat r ound head hat tapers to a narrow stem. Their size Next to the morels, the puffball mush­ The shaggy mane mushroom is consid­ an vary widely, going from golf ball size room is most abundant but found pri­ ered onf> of the best of the outdoor o giants of a foot or more in diameter. marily in the fall. edibles. j

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IOWA CONSERVATIONIST Page 38

Mushrooms . • • (continued from page 37)

you can stew them. fry them or eat them raw, accordmg to your own taste." The most common way to fix a tasty batch of mushrooms is to begin by soakin~ them in salt \\ater at least two hours to remove dirt and bu~s from the pores. Then dip them in flour or a cracker and egg batter and fry them lightl) in butter, oil or shortening until they're lightly browned. That's all you do. but here's a bonus. ea1' • Don't consider mushrooms JUSt a spring ~~ and summer delicacy B) freezing or dry­ he ing them, you can sen e up tempting plat­ B ters of mushrooms all ''inter long _,4 Xnt To prepare them for freezing, put them A uood "catch" of the abundant morel -fun t o gath er and even more f un to eat. gu in a plastic container, fill it with water, "' The and let them cool; then seal the container tw and place it in your freezer. '\\'hen you're Thi.; means that, in addition to picking T. ready to sen·e them agam, JUSt thaw them only the mushrooms described here, it's a Wild Animals: ad and heat until read) "must" to remember this rule: if you're A probably less common way to assure in doubt, don't pick the mushroom. Nature's vourself of wintertime mushrooms is to To help you further, here is a list of rs dry them. Your mushrooms should first be mushroom hunting precautions taken from er washed, drained and cut into pieces Us­ Alexander H. Smith's The li,Juslzroom Not Yours ing ~ common darning needle and string, Hunter's Field Guzde. ( 1) eat only one If you, like many other Iowans, will be put the mushroom pieces on the cord as kind at a time so that if any difficulty spending a lot of time outdoors this spring if you were stringing beads, and hang the should de\elop the cause is known; (2) and summer, you may encounter several strings in a protected dry room. cat on)} young or fre~hly matured speci When dn the mushrooms can be kept species of wildlife-usually the young. • • mens free from insect larvae or \\Orms; in sealed bags or jars Or, they can be (:~) cook the specimens well; 4 eat only If you come upon young wild game ani­ hung in any room that's dry and insect­ small amounts when testing a species you mals- leave them alone. They are not up free. When you're ready for a mushroom haven't tried before; ( 5) do not over­ for adoption. The worst thing you could feast, soak the plants in water until their indulge under any circumstances-there is do would be to take some "cute, cuddly" original shape returns, drain them, and always a danger of indigestion from eating young animal home with you. cook as when fresh. too much of any food; and (6) have each Some people may have the notion that it g1on You're now all set to join the ranks of member of the family test each new kind would be fun to have a young wild animal 191( the many mushroom hunters roaming the for himself or herself. The most import­ for a pet. They fall in lo"e with a helpless F fields and forests each year. But before ant element of all, however, is to be criti­ looking fawn, young or baby rab­ to l you begin, a strong word of warning is cal in identifying the specimens in the bit they "find" in the outdoors. If the gob) in order. first place." young animal appears to be alone, the aIll Caut ion Smith goes on Lo say that when collect­ finders may decide it's "lost from its ~&\'4 mg puffballs for food, for example, it's lndj Some types of mushrooms, if eaten, can mother" or "It'll starve if we lea'e it best to section them lengthwise to be sure ID h produce violent sickness, or even be fatal. here." you don't ha\e a button stage for an Ama­ Both assumptions are probably incor­ bani nita (a genus containing some of the most rect. The mother of the young animal is Tl poisonous mushrooms). He advises mush­ usually just wailing nearby for the tres­ 'he roomers that the only puffballs worth eat­ passers to leave before coming out of hid­ lllis~ ing are ·white and uniformly structured mg. Even 1f the mother doesn't show up Tbi~ throughout the interior, while Amanita again, young game animals are well­ colll) buttons show the gills, cap and stalk al­ equipped to fend for themselves in the arj ready differentiated within the emelope outdoors. Rire of the univer:::.al \eil. om Tempting as it m1ght be to bring a wild Remember, then, to slay with the easil) •C9 identified mushrooms. If you're not sure ammal home, it's one of the worst mis­ rear about a mushroom, leave it alone. takes one could make. uary If you keep these precautions in mind In the first place and most important, tiON and practice them always, you'll be able to it's illegal to possess wild game animals safely enJOY the same fun being shared by during the closed season. Is someone who thousands of Io\\ ans each spring and sum­ picks up a young fawn in the field and It mer. They'll be ~earching for morels, puff­ takes it home for a pet any different than fate balls, and other popular mushrooms and a poacher who kills a deer at night during thou enjoying the reward of "Iowa outdoors." a closed season'! Both are removing the to at After all, when you cannot only enjoy the game from the wild. You 0 the out of doors, but also wind up with a Yeat Trouble usually follows when anyone JS tasty addition to the table, how can you bitdt foolish enough to bring home a young wild lose? Try mushrooming- you'll be glad area T he popular morel, sprinbt;me delicacy (continued on page 40) favored by Iowans of all ages. you did. Plod1 IOWA CONSERVATIONIST Page 39

Tom Turk~y Tri~s For [om~hack; Hop~ For P~rman~nt Hom~ In Iowa

By Dennis D. Wigal turkeys were stocked. A recent two-year around in, perhaps even more than the G1·aduate Assistant study by the author indicates that no Yellow River Forest can provide. Al­ Iowa State University more than 100 turkeys currently inhabit though that forest is big by Iowa stand­ Wild turkeys are back in Iowa. After the forests of northeast Iowa. ards, it is tiny compared to forests sup­ nearly a century of absence, those ma­ So far as habitat type is concerned, porting wild turkeys in many other parts jestic game birds once again are part of biologists see no reason why wild tur­ of the country. the state's wildlife. keys cannot successfully live in north­ But don't get too excited, sportsmen. east Iowa. All of their life requirements Hope F or Comeback ~ot yet, that is. No one knows if our appear to be available. Several thousand If the turkeys do become established o eat. guests will like their new surroundings. acres of forests provide excellent cover in northeast Iowa, they'll probably never They have found that Iowa isn't what and food in the form of acorns and other approach their pre-settlement abundance. it was 100 years ago. mast. In addition, surrounding farms Unlike deer which seem to thrive in the There was a time when wild turkeys grow corn and other grain crops that new man-molded environment, wild tur­ bad little to worry about except finding turkeys "gobble up." keys have had difficulty in adjusting. plenty to eat and sturdy trees to roost There may, however, be some subtle Still, they have made remarkable come­ in. Forests were undisturbed and preda­ factors working against the northeast backs in certain parts of the country tors were probably unimportant. Not Iowa birds. Originally the eastern strain where they once had disappeared and even Indians threatened the turkeys' of ranged over Iowa. It may even are found in some places where existence, although they killed the birds be that the Rio Grande turkeys are not they formerly were not known to exist. fer food and other necessities. quite well enough adapted to Iowa's Iowa conservation officials are hoping »ill be The turkeys' problems began when the climate to really take hold. However, that the few Iowa turkeys possess some spring gun and axe entered primitive Iowa. The eastern and Merriam's turkeys, which of this comeback potential. Ultimately, ;mral big birds were unable to tolerate the they hope, there may even be the possi­ ng. tools of civilization and slowly began to bility of a hunting season to provide a 1e am­ disappear from Iowa's forests. In 1846 real treat for Iowa hunters. As any tur­ not up J. B. Newhall noted in his book A key hunter could testify, there's nothing 1 could Glimpse of Iowa in 1846 that "wild tur­ quite like trying to outwit a wary old ddly" keys abound" in northeast Iowa. By gobbler. 1860 they were all but gone in that re­ But even if the turkeys never increase that it gion and were extinct statewide by about to a huntable level, efforts will be made animal 1910. to maintain a modest population purely For nearly a century there was little for esthetic reasons. The opportunity to 1elple55 >Y rab­ to indicate that Tom Turkey had once hear a gobbling tom on a clear morning If the gobbled in the Iowa wilderness. Only the is worth the effort to get out at dawn name Turkey River in northeast Iowa to listen. Add to this the thrill of seeing 1e, the JID its gave any hint of their earlier presence. a strutting gobbler puffed up in all his !a\·e it Indians long before had named the river courtship splendor, or having the luck in honor of turkeys common along its to observe a hen and her brood run banks. across a woods road, and the effort be­ incor­ Then in the winter of 1960-61, with comes more worLhwhile. imal is the help of the State Conservation Com­ have recently been planted immediately An amateur photographer, interested e tres­ 1 mission, Tom made his reappearance. across the Mississippi River in Wiscon­ in capturing Iowa's wildlife on film, of hid­ Thirty-nine Texas-trapped wild turkeys, sin, may provide a boost to the north­ might put in his two cents' worth, too. boW up commonly known as the Rio Grande east Iowa turkey population. The Iowa Photographing a wild turkey in its nat­ ) well­ variety, were released in the Yellow turkeys have been known to cross the ural surroundings poses a supreme chal­ the -in River State Forest in the northeast river; the same can be expected of the lenge even to the professional. A chance corner of Iowa. Several earlier, but un­ Wisconsin turkeys. to catch ol' Tom with sunlight glinting , a wild successful, stocking ventures with hand Superficially, there is little difference on his irridescent feathers will stimulate stI miS·' reared turkeys are reviewed in the Jan­ between the several varieties of wild any photographer to try again for a uary, 1961 issue of the IOWA CONSERVA­ turkeys found throughout the United better shot. TIONIST by Arnold 0. Haugen. States. Coloration varies slightly, but The closest most Iowans come to see­ more important may be differences in in­ ing a wild turkey is its drab and over­ P roblem of Adaptation ternal body functions. Any animal group sized barnyard cousin, a poor substitute It may be too early to determine the functions most efficiently under climatic at best. With modern techniques of wild­ fate of the northeast Iowa tur keys, al­ conditions like those in which it evolved. life management at work in Iowa, more though they have had several years to try Another hindrance may be a lack of outdoors-loving people may yet have the to adapt to their new home. Numerous truly extensive forest land. A turkey is opportunity to view a turkey in the wild. young turkeys have been seen in past a curious vagabond, often wandering This effort would surely please the likes years, and reports indicate some of the several miles in a single day. He is also of Ben Franklin, who once proposed the birds have moved up to 40 miles to new secretive and makes every attempt to mighty fowl as our nation's symbol. areas. But the population has not "ex­ avoid the prying eyes of man. For this Let's hope the turkeys are pleased with ploded" as it has in other states af ter reason he needs much cover to move the effort also. ' _1..._.:.... :~ __ -,..:- ... ,... - ..... a. ... ,._ ~ .. . '!' .J-;- • • . • .. ...'-#'•• '"""\.... ~- .... - .... ~ ...... - ...... •' ,.., ,. ... ~ ... ·~,- ...... ,. ,,...... ·- lr "' ...... ' ... ,,_.. . -.. -...... ~- •). ·. ~ ...... ' .

Page 40 IOWA CONSERVATIONIST

It all began one Saturday • • •

Et•aljone can l'l mrmbl r tlu happy, hilanous, allll somclnnes h01 rcmlou.s moments of a new upcnencr and 1chcn dealing with JJ/otlle?' Nature and hr1· U'lmns, those many mcmOJ us 01 c cvt 11 11101 c u nfor!Jt tlablc

In spite of nearly freezing to death, the eight fingernails were lost '"ithin fif­ time I was packed and in the car. Head­ eating hot dogs generously seasoned with teen minutes. The other three were re­ mg back to town, I was re-assured that sand and dirt, breaking eight fingernails, moved when I was attempting to chop camping really was great and that my fir .... t burning my tennis shoes, and sustaining huge logs into fire-sized pieces. The wood trip was a little unusual. great bodily injury when a tenl collapsed, I had so carefully gathered was "too I fully agreed that it was unusual and, the camping trip was really fun. green" (although it appea1ed 'wood color' giving my compatriots the benefit of the I guess I would have been de!'cribed as to me) and was promptly discarded. I doubt, I consented to "sometime" give slightly Il\EXPERIEKCED. and totally \\aS informed that my wood would cause camping a fair chance. I knew that when lacking common sense. My cohorts had to the park officer to frantically summon the 1t was warmer. camping really would be admit that I warned them, though. And I county fire fighters due to excessive smoke "great fun." We could enjoy hiking, I did add a great deal to the trip-~ome­ \\hen it burned. could attempt fishing (Oh. dear!), and we thing that could be termed ?\TASS HYS­ And after my superb hot dog dinner could meet other campers who were smart TERIA. that went up in tons of billowing clouds, enough to wait for real camping weather. It all began one Saturday in early April I was surprised the state fire marshall Yesterday my "friends" propo-.ed a sec­ when the four of us were bemoaning the wasn't contacted. ond trip since it was uso much warmer" . fact that the gorgeous 70-degree \veather Yes, that supper was a real treat for this week. Keeping an attentive car on the was going to waste. all of us. Hot dogs, charred beyond recog­ radio for \\eather predic.twns, I learned "Wouldn't it be fun to go camping?" nition, and potato chips both equally sea­ that Iowa weather must be mherently one suggested. The remaining two of the soncri with dirt and sand which was against campers. Predictions for next three experienced camping-lovers quickly blowing in the tornado-like "breeze." weekend-rain and much colder tempera­ agreed. Glances turned to me, silently sit­ Camping is great fun! Yes. Putting tures. ting there picturing bears and \vild ani­ up the tent was exceptionally educational. "\Veil, group." I cleverly suggested. mals destroying a peaceful campsite. (As Learn anatomy by doctoring wounds "Why not wait 'til July?" it turned out, it wasn't the bears who should be the subtille for the course. Six destroyed the peaceful scene.) bruises on one leg, four on my arms. I Animals ... "Well, gang," I remarked, "I'm willing kept forgetting those crazy tent stakes to try anything once." And with this hesi­ and with grace, charm and finesse, fell (continued from page 38) tant appro,·al, ideas, plans, and miscel­ over them so many times I quit counting. animal If kept in captivity the animal laneous suggestions multiplied by tens and By the time nine o'clock rolled around can become completely dependent on hu­ twenties until THE PLAN was formu­ though, my arms and legs ·were so cold mans. Then when they are released as lated. I couldn't feel the bruises (or the arms adults. they can't cope \\ith life in the We were to leave the following Friday and legs) . My feet were toasty warm how­ wild3. In some cases they may even stan·e evening, assuring ourselves that the ever. In fact, the soles of my tennis shoes They may become the victim of a predator weather would be even better than this were so warm they were beginning to because they have lost all caution and weekend. Yeah, right! Good old Iowa smoke. One learns quickly that an open ability to survive in the outdoors. weather should always be trusted. . . . fire must be approached with caution and Neighbors will complain when you start On Thursday the temperature was 40 de­ with body parts at equal distances from keeping a wild animal. That ucute, cud­ grees with either rain or snow forecast the flames. dly" young thing you picked up in the for the weekend. But ,., ho was I to back After the ten-thirty hike, the respective woods soon becomes a hungry, growling out? merits of camping were dwindling fast. adult bent on mischief or worse. "\\'hen My preparatory job was to grocery shop. And by morning with temperatures that kept as a pet, wild animals often lose all Quizzed before leaving for the store, I even Admiral Bird and group wouldn't fear of humans. And this can be danger­ quickly ruled out a beef stroganoff dinner tackle, the fascination with this popular ous for both humans and the animal. (the only thing I really know how to cook) spring (Ha!) pastime was even being Each year one of the most difficult jobs and in its place substituted hot dogs. questioned by the experienced outdoors­ that Fish and Game Consenation Officers Surely I could handle hoi dogs. men. are faced with is the reclaiming of wild­ Then it was Friday. After hair rollers, A radio, my only link with humanity, life pets held by individuals. In spite of bermuda shorts, sun tan oil and other "un­ informed us that it was a "comfortable" public appeals, some people just won't necessary" items were discarded (much 31 degrees. They might think it was com­ leave the wildlife alone. Hundreds of ani­ to my disapproval and confusion), the car fortable, but I've got news for them. It mals are taken yearly. was packed. We were headed for the park, was really cold! Usually the law enforcement officers are and then the real fun ( ?) began. The lovely shade of blue that was add­ notified by complaining neighbors that a The camping area was situated on top ing so much to my complexion was finally wild animal is being confined nearby. Offi­ of a hill; the wind chill reading, I was noticed by the other three and some cers have no choice but to act on the sure, was about 20 below. With superior benevolent soul suggested that we adjourn informatio.1. lt's not an easy task to insight and astute reasoning on my part, to civilization for lunch. (Our breakfast reclaim these animals, but it must be done. I suggested we build a fire. Excellent of unfrozen-frozen orange juice, cold eggs So if you should encounter or "find" a idea! We began gathe11,g wood (a job and bacon wasn't too palatable.) young wild game animal-Don't touch it. I thought I could handle, too) "tl five of uHooray," thought I, and in remarkable Leave it alone. '